RAW is a generic term referring to a family of image formats containing unprocessed image data and metadata, which is received directly from image sensors of digital image- or motion picture cameras and/or scanners. RAW files are not usable as images and are often referred to as digital negatives. RAW images directly reflect color and light intensity and therefore demonstrate true color picture. In order to print or view a RAW file, it must be converted to a standard raster graphics format (JPEG). Each camera model has its own RAW extension. Formats are differentiated according camera manufacturers' names: .nef (Nickon), .crw (Canon), .srw (Samsung), etc.

Designed by CompuServe even before JPG GIF file format displays indexed-color graphics. It is a simple illustration with maximum 256 colors. That is why it is great for the web, logos and icons also are saved in GIF format. There is one more reason for that: GIF preserves transparence. You can put an icon or a logo above another image, and the borders of the first one won’t be seen. Above all GIF supports animation, which is a widely spread technique among the designers.